Process of burning fuel and other materials.



PATBNTED APR. 17, 1906.

A. M. RUBESON z G. A. BETTINGTONI PROCESS OP BURNING FUEL AND OTHER MATERIALS.

APPLIGA'L'IUN PILD APR 13, 1905.

45 of changing direction of iiow of the unconvparticles so as to y. UNrrnn STATES PnrnNfr OFFIOE. 'A

ANTHONY M. ROBESON, OF JOHANNESBURG, TRANSVAAL, AND CLAUDE A. BETTINGTON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PROCESS OF BURNING FUEL AND OTHER MATERIALS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

lT'atented'April 17., 1 906.

Application led April 13, 1905. Serial No. 255,471.

To (zr/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, ANTHONY M. ROBE- sON, residing at Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa, and CLAUDE A. BETTINGTON, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk, Stateof Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Burning Fuel and other Materials, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in processes for burning different substances or materials.

One of the objects of the invention is to improve on the prior processes for burning material, and especially coal in the form of finely-divided particles or dust, so as to get the greatest efficiency.

Other objects will appear from the hereinafter description.

It is a well-known fact that when coal is reduced to a fine powder and introduced into a furnace with the correct amount of air the combustion of the coal is practically perfect, provided that the coal-supply, the quality thereof, and the air supplied thereto remain constant within narrow limits 5 but when any of these factors change either the fire goes out'or it burns very ineificiently.

After many experiments and from practical demonstrations we have discovered that if in burning finely-divided or pulverized coal introduced into a furnace in a stream mixed with air the products of combustion and the burning fuel be turned back upon themselves and returned valongside of or in proximity to the incomin stream or split and returned along two sirles of the furnace or spread out in a circular or mushroom form and returned on all sides a regenerative action is secured, more of the fuel is consumed, and a greater efficiency is obtained from the material burned than heretofore. The act sumed fuel projected into the furnace and the gases or products f i combustion. causes eddy-currents, which .iecreases the velocity of the flow of the fuel and the products of combustion in the furnace and stirs up the produce a ,more rapid chemical reaction. whereby the material is of combustion and the ignited fuel to fall down and double back on themselves alongside Or through the incoming mixture of the ,fuel and air in a downward direction.

Broadly speaking, our invention consists in burning the material causing the products of combustion and lthe ignited material to double back on themselves. results may be Aobtained by forcing the material in a horizontal direction or in a downward direction in the furnace so lonO as the products of combustion and burned mate- Although good rial are caused to double back upon themselves, yet we have found that the best results are obtained by forcing the material in an upward direction in the furnace. While various apparatus may be used for carryin out our process, the furnace which We Wil now describe is the one which we have found to work admirably and the one which we prefer to use. The said furnace is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which the same reference characters refer to the same parts in the different views.

Figure l of the drawings is a cross-section of the furnace together with the vboiler which is heated by the combustion of the material in the furnace. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 1 l of-Fig. 1.

The part marked A is the outer wall of the furnace.

B is a retort having a slag-pit. immediately below it, this retort at the top being preferably curved or dome-shaped, as shown.

D is a pipe through which the fuel, Ywhich may be finely divided or pulverized coal mixed with air or other combustion-supporting gas, is supplied to the retort. The inner end of this pipe is ,curved upwardly, as shown at D', and extends upwardly into the retort, so that the fuel may be supplied in an upward direction. The fuel after being mixed with the air is forced Ithrough this pipe, so that it will enter the retort in a stream. While We have stated that the air is'preferroo ' fuel to double back and to envelop the incoming fuel, the products of combustion passing throu h said outlet.

7. 'lhe process of combustion which consists in injecting a finely-divided material and a su porter of combustion into a combustion-c amber in one direction, igniting thematerial, causing the products of combustion and the unconsumed particles of said material to return in the opposite direction adjacent to and enveloping the incoming material, whereby a regenerativeraction 1s secured.

8. The process of combustion which consists in injecting a substance and a supporter of combustioninto a combustion-chamber substantially vertically in one direction, ig-

niting the substance, causing the products of combustion and the unconsum'ed particles of said substance to return in the opposite direction to the incoming substance, and permitting the said particles and products of combustion to pass on from said combustionchamber.

9. The process of combustion vwhich consists in projecting a combustible material and a supporter of combustion upwardly into a combustion-chamber, igniting the' same and causing the burning material to be 'fn motion or in suspense witiout separati from the supporter of combustion until combustion is complete,

10. The process of combustion which con-` sists in injecting pulverulent or less finely divided fuel and a supporter of combustion upfrom the supporter bustion is complete,

wardly into 'a com ustion-chamber, igniting the'fuel7 maintaining the burning'fuel 1n motion or suspense without separating the fuel of combustion, untll com- 11. The process of combustion which consists in injecting a finely divided or pulverulent substance into a cornlnistion-chamber in an upward direction, supplying to the substance a sup porter of combustion, igniting the substance, causing the products of `combustion and the unconsumed portions of said substance to return downwardly in prox- 'y unity to the incoming substance and lto enfvelopthe same.

12. Theproc'ess of combustion which consists in injecting a solid fuel in a finely-divided or pulverulent state into a combustionchamber in a substantially vertical direction, supplying to the fuel a supporter of combustion, igniting the fuel, causing `the unconVL sumed ortions of the fuel and the products of com ustion to return adjacent to the incoming fuel, and permitting the products of combustion and unconsumed particles to escape from the combustion-chamber.

13. The process of combustion which consists in injecting a solid fuel in a finely-divided state into a combustion-chamber in an upwardly direction, supplying to the fuel a causing the burning fuel and the products of combustion to spread out in mushroom form and to return downwardly in proximity to the incoming fuel, and permitting the products of combustion to pass on.

14. The process of combustion which consists in injecting a substance and a supporter of combustion into a combustionchamber, igniting the substance, causing the' vburningsubstance and the products ofcombustion to double back and return alongside of the incoming substance, whereby eddycurrents are set up, as and for the purpose set forth.

15. The process of combustion which consists in mixing a substance and a supporter of combustion, injecting the mixture into a combustion-chamber, igniting the substance, causing the burning mixture and products of combustion to double back and return alongwhich the burning material and products. of combustion are under the retarding influence of the injected material. f 4

16` The process of combustion which consists in injecting a finely-divided solid fuel and a supporter of combustion into a combustion-chamber, igniting the fuel, causing the products of combustion and the burning fuel to double back and be in suspense while burning.

17. The process of combustion which consists in injecting a substance and a supporter of combustion into a coml'iustion-chamber opened for the' passage of thc products of combustion and unconsuined particles of said substance, igniting said substance, causing said substance and the products of combustion to' double back on themselves in proximity to the incoming substance and to envelop the same, by which the burning substance and products of con'ibustion are under the retarding influence of the incomingl substance and a regenerative action is obtained, and permitting the products of `combustion l to pass on.

18. The process of combustion which consists in injecting a finely-divided solid fuel in an 5upwardly direction into a combustionchamber having an opening for the assage of the products of combustion, supp ying a side of the path of the mixture injected, by-

supporter of combustion, lgniting the fuel, l

IOO

IIO

il. O

supporter oi' combustion to thc iuei, .igniti-ng the Vi'uei, causing the ignited iuei and the products oi combustion to doubie back upon. themselves in, a downward direction in' prox;n iniitj,T to and enreioping t ie upwardijnioving iuei, by which the downward movement of the burning iuei and products oi combus? tion is retarded and a regenerative action is obtained, and permitting the unconsiuned products to pass on.

i9. rihc'process of combustion which con siste in injecting a iineiy-divided solid fuei and a supporter oi combustion upwardiy into a combustionchamber open oniy at the iower part thereof, causing the products of combustion and the unconsuined particles of the iuei to doubie bach and nieve downwardiy, and permitting the products oi conn bustion and unccnsunicd inateriai to pass on troni. the conibustion-chamber.

2G, The process of combustion Which con-- in mixing a suiiistance and a supporter' of: combustion, forcing said mixture into a conibusti ni-chauiber having au opening' for the escape oi the products of combustion, igniting said substance, causing the 'ignited substance to double back ou the incoming substance, keeping the substance in suspense untii combustion is complete, and permitting the products ot combustion to pass on.

The process oi cmnbustion.which consists in mixing with'piiiireruient substances a supporter oi' combustion, injecting said substances into a combustion-chamber having an. opening for the passage of the products oit cornimstion, igniting said substances, causing the ignited substances to double hach upon the incon'iing suistances, causing the i'iurning substances to be supported by the iuconiing substances Whiie burning, and permitting the pro ducts of combusti on to pass on.

22. rihe process oi combustion, which con sists in injecting a substance in an upward direction into a combustion-chamber having an opening thereii'i i or the passage ci the products of combustion,- igniting said su`ostance, keeping the substance in suspense Weile burning, and permitting the prodiuzts of i'zrnnbu stion to pass on.

The process ci cmnbustion winch consists in mixing with a substance a supporter oi combustion, injec 'ng the mixture upwardly into a coinbustion-chamber having "opci'n'ngv the passage oi the products of combustion, in., ting seid substance, causing thc ignited substance to douhie back, on the incoi'ning. substance and against the 1jr-:tarde ing influent-,c thereof, and permitting` the products oi' combination to paLs on, i

' 24. The process ci combustion which con,.- sists in injecting puh/croient substance up: Wardiy into a poinbustionfchainher haring an opening the passage oi" the products oi" t combustion i uiting said substance, causing the ignited s' :,stance to doubie baci; on the lli incoming substance under 'the retardi'ng ine iiuence thereof, whereby part of the burning substance is heid in suspense, and permitting the products of combustion to pass on.

' 25, The process of combustion which consists in mixing with a puiveruient substance a supporter of combustion, injecting the said mixture Aupward-1y into a combustion-charnber having an opening for the passage of the products of combustion, igniting said sub-` stance, causing the ignited substance to doubic back on the incoming substance, keeping some oi the burning substance in` suspense' While burning, and permitting the products oi combustion and unconsumed material to pass on.

26. The process oi combustion whichconM sist-s in injecting a puiverulent substance and a supporter oi combustion substantiaiiy verticaiiy into a combustion chamber, said chamber being open, near the incoming 1naterial, .tor the escape of the products of cornbustion, igniting the substance and causing the products of combustion and. burning substance to double back on the incoming substance, and permitting the products of combustion and the unconsumed material to pass on. y

il?. The process of treating pulveruient substances, which consists in injecting said substance and a supporter of combustion into a conibustion-chaluber having openings therein, igniting the combustible substances, causing the products of combustion and the substances to doubie back on the incoming substances so that the said incoming' sub- .stnnc wiii exert a retarding iniiucnce on the returning products oi combustion and substances, permitting the products ot' con1- bustion to pass on in one direction, and the uuconsunied material tota-i1 in another direction.

28. Vihe pr cess of treating a puiveruient substance, which consists in injecting said substance and a supporter of combustion up* Wardiy into a combustionchamber7 having openings therein, igniting said' substance, causing the products of combustion and the ignited substance to doubie bach on the inE coming substance, so that the said incon'iing substance will exert a retarding iuiiuence on the returning products of combustion and keep the saine in suspense While burning, permitting the products of combustion to pass on in one direction, and some ofthe un consumed substance to pass in another direction,

2S). The process o1 treating puiveruient substances, which consists in iniecting said substances in cui upwarddirection into a corobustionfchamber having an opening at or near the bottoni thereof, igniting said sub stances, causing said ignited substances and products oi combustion tc doubie'bacirlxon the incoming substances, permittingunconis' f Jl sumecl products and products of combustion Yto pass on in a downward direction.

. 3(L The process of treating pulverulent substances, which consists in injecting said substances and e supporter of combustion upwardly into a, oo1nbustion-clisnher, igniting seid substances, causing said ignited substances and products of combustion to double beck on the incoming substances, per* mitting the nnconsuzned materiel and prodnets of combustion to pass from the combuss downward direction.

forth which consists in on-chamber in 31, The process set iliring together pulverulent substances one stances into acombustion-ehember, igniting of Wlneh is combustible, injecting seid subtle'eomoustible substance, causing the ignited substance and the products of combus- ,irte double beek on themselves, whereby the'motion jor the ignited substances and roduets oi comb pense until combustion is complete, and per` 'initting' the unoonsnnied material end the products of combustion to pass from the coinbustion-cliexnber.

32. Tlieproeess set forti] which consists in injecting pnlverulent substancesJ at leest one oilwliieh is Combustible, upwerdlyinto e coinbustion-eliember, igniting 'the combustible material, causing seid ignited materiel end the products of combustion to double oook on themselves, whereby the return movement of the ignited materiel and products of combustion is retmded end some el the burning materie-l is .held in suspense while burning, permitting the uneonsurned material A and, products of combustion to poss from the l stion is retertied and some or the burning substances held in suscombustion-chamber in a downward direc tion. l The process of combustion which oonl sists in injecting a pulverulent substance and l e, supporter of combustion into e. combus- 1 tion-chember, igniting the substance perl mitting the products' of combustion to pass from the oon;kestion-elisir:loer in suoli e inenner as to "oe under the reterding influence of the incoming materiel end the heavier particles of the burning materiel ere prevented from separating from the v lighter White tile material is burning. i

311. The process of combustion which oonsists in injecting e pulverulent or less finely divided substance and e. supporter oit-coinbustion into the substance, permitting the products .of combustion to poss from seid cooliustionchamber .in suoli e. manner es to loe under the remrding influence of tlie incoming substance and the heavier pertieies prevented from being' seperated by gravity While burning.

in Witness Whe-'reef I have hereunto my hondy et Johannesburg, South Africa, vthis 11th day et Merch, 1905.

NTHNY M. ROBESN. In presence o- Trios. GREEN, W. J. CLAnKsoN.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hangl, et the city of .New York, in .the eount.T

of .N ew York and State ol Newl York]r this 1st day of January, 1905.

CLAUDE A. BET-TNGTON. ln presenee o:`

Loin-s N'. Wir-infimes, T. R. R101-ninos.

a. combustion-elio1uloer, igniting y 

